by Andy KellmanIt's ironic that an electronics-reliant duo notorious for complex and difficult productions had an involuntary hand in the making of an instrumental rock album so simple, natural, and flat-out gorgeous. Play is Larsen's third studio album in eight years. They weren't merely inspired by Autechre, as indicated in the inner sleeve. Rather than write material the old-fashioned way, the band took some of the groundbreaking experimental techno duo's melodies and improvised around them, which eventually gave way to fully formed songs that only left traces of their inspiration. In fact, the notion of this method actually taking place turns out to be so faint that only those who know Autechre inside out are likely to pick up on it. Compared to 2002's Michael Gira-produced Rever, this album is less explosive and dynamic, but it's often as riveting. Save for churning opener "C," grinding guitar riffs and howling vocals are nonexistent, th...